Plaque refers to the buildup of fat, cholesterol and calcium in the walls of your arteries, often brought on by unhealthy lifestyle habits. The accumulation of these substances forming plaque is a gradual process but impacts your health...
If you are interested in augmenting your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, consider introducing nuts and seeds into your diet. Nuts and seeds require little to no preparation and can be an accessible, healthy snack. You can also use nuts and seeds to...
A stroke occurs when your brain does not get the blood and oxygen it needs to function properly. This can happen when an artery in the brain ruptures due to an aneurysm or accident, or if an artery that supplies your brain becomes blocked. In some...
NuvaRing, or the vaginal ring, is a form of birth control that a woman inserts into her vagina for three weeks, then removes during the week of menstruation. NuvaRing contains synthetic estrogen and progestin, ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel,...
The body clots blood as a naturally occurring response to an injury. When this occurs, platelets form a sort of plug to stop the bleeding and then the clot seals the wound. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, sometimes a clot forms when it is...
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. According to MayoClinic.com, an ischemic stroke occurs when a blockage such as a blood clot prevents blood from reaching your brain, while a hemorrhagic stroke is due to a leaking or...
As you age, your body's capabilities and requirements change, and your diet should change to accommodate them. You will need less of some nutrients and more of others. Your lifelong dietary habits and general health may increase your risk for...
Eyes normally move only in response to stimuli or direct commands from the brain. If severe, rapid involuntary eye movements may interfere with vision. Rapid eye movement, or REM, can occur as a natural process or as a symptom of disease. It may...
Dementia is a condition recognized by a person's lack of reasoning or memory function, but it's not a part of the normal aging process. Dementia is only diagnosed if two or more common factors are present in a given individual, including memory...
It's normal to sweat a lot when you're exercising hard -- when you sweat, it means you've activated your body's natural air conditioning system, which prevents your system from overheating. But some people believe they sweat too much while...
It's difficult to set a specific number of pounds that you should weigh for your age. The reason for this is that your height and gender dictates this value. This doesn't mean there's no means of determining the ideal weight for your age, however....
More than 65 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure, or hypertension. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends a diet rich in vegetables to help regulate blood pressure. Timely dietary and lifestyle changes can...
A stroke occurs when oxygen and blood are blocked or extremely restricted from reaching your brain tissue, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can cause lasting, negative effects on physical strength and bodily form, leaving sufferers frustrated and...
High blood sugar is a condition that can occur when you have insufficient amounts of insulin or your cells are resistant to insulin, a hormone that transfers sugar from your blood to your cells. High blood sugar is the predominant characterization...
The electrolyte potassium is important to the function of your cells, tissues and organs, and it helps maintain fluid balance. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide the best source for your daily potassium requirement of 2,000 mg. The Food and Drug...
It takes almost twice as much energy to walk with heels slightly of the ground instead of walking by landing on the heels as most people do. This is a finding of David Carrier, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Utah. He notes that...
Diet plays a role in helping you manage two types of diabetes mellitus, conditions characterized by high blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes affects less than 10 percent of diagnosed diabetics in the United States, whereas type 2 diabetes, also called...
Flax or flaxseed is one of the "miracle" foods that have been reported to have many health benefits, including lowering cholesterol. In a study conducted by Suzanne Hendrich for "Science Daily," three tablespoons of flax were given to 90 people...
Blood pressure is the force exerted on the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps blood. This force continually changes in response to your environmental and emotional states. Generally, you want to keep your blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg....
When plaque builds up along the arterial walls, it can lead to high blood pressure and a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Diet plays an important role in managing plaque buildup and this includes watching your carbohydrate intake....
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the human body, designed to help the body deal with mental and physical stress. Also known as the "stress hormone," cortisol increases in the blood rise as an individual feels either physical, emotional or mental...
Fever isn't an illness in itself; it's a symptom of an underlying problem that raises the body's temperature from the normal level of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Nevertheless, it's important for parents to try to determine the cause of a child's...
Sodium is an electrolyte and a mineral that helps maintain the balance of water in and around your cells and helps keep your body's electrolytes in balance. Abnormally low sodium levels -- also known as hyponatremia -- causes your body's water...
While exercising helps you to maintain your weight, age well and prevent diseases, it can also have its downside. For instance, it can bring on heat stroke, a condition that afflicts you when your body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit or...
To reduce your risk of heart conditions and stroke, you should focus on increasing your high-density lipoprotein, or "good" cholesterol and lowering your low-density lipoproetein cholesterol levels. MayoClinic.com notes a desirable level of HDL...
Cortisol is a hormone produced in your body when it is under stress. It is supposed to help you deal with both mental and physical stress, however it can cause chemical imbalances within your body. Excessive levels of cortisol may elevate your...
Taking steps to lower your cholesterol will help reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke or developing conditions such as heart disease. High cholesterol rarely produces noticeable symptoms, so you need to get it checked regularly,...
High blood pressure is known also as the silent killer because it has few, if any, symptoms. It is responsible for a number of health conditions including heart failure and stroke. To avoid developing these medical conditions, or even an early...
Depression is a serious health condition that can be extremely debilitating for those who are diagnosed with it. The Mayo Clinic states it is one of the most common health conditions in the world, yet there is no known cause. Certain people are at...
The word "dizzy" is used to describe everything from feeling faint or lightheaded to feeling weak and unsteady. Dizziness that creates the sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving is called vertigo. Learn about the different...
Senile Dementia is a steady decline of mental faculties in a person, primarily elderly, for various reasons including Alzheimer's disease and strokes. Watch this video for more information on this condition.
